The Muslim News

Gaza, (Palestinian Centre for Human Rights):

Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory 09 - 16 July 2008

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

3 Palestinians were killed by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

13 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded by the IOF gunfire in the West Bank.

7 of these civilians were wounded during a peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Ne’lin village west of Ramallah.

IOF conducted 40 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

IOF have continued to raid civil society institutions in Nablus for the 2nd consecutive week.

IOF raided the Municipality of Nablus, 2 medical centers, a television station, 2 NGOs and 5 mosques.

IOF confiscated 7 school buses.

IOF arrested 66 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children and 2 women, in the West Bank.

IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

IOF troops at a military checkpoint near Jenin attempted to force 3 Palestinian women to take off their clothes.

IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attacks Palestinian civilians and property.

The construction of 920 housing units on Abu Ghumaim Mount (Har Homa), south of East Jerusalem, was approved

IOF demolished a house in al-‘Eissawiya village near Jerusalem.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (9 – 16 July 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 3 Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and injured 13 others, including 2 children, in the West Bank.

In the West Bank, on 9 July, an IOF undercover unit shot and killed one Palestinian and arrested another in Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. The victim had been wanted by IOF for 2 years. On the same day, three Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were injured when IOF moved into al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Jenin.

On 11 July, IOF killed a Palestinian near “Yakir” settlement, northwest of Salfit. IOF claimed an exchange of fire had taken place in the area, during which the Palestinian was killed.

On 16 July, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded when IOF moved into al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Jenin.

During the reporting period, seven Palestinian civilians were wounded when IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest at the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil’in and Ne’lin villages, west of Ramallah, and Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm.

In the Gaza Strip, on 10 July, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel killed a Palestinian civilian in the central Gaza Strip. This attack was the fifth of its kind since the Egypt-brokered truce between Palestinian resistance groups and Israel entered into force on June 19. In addition, four Palestinians have been injured since the truce started.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 40 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 66 Palestinian civilians, including seven children and a number of public figures. Since the beginning of this year, 1,548 Palestinian civilians have been arrested by IOF in the West Bank. In addition, for the second consecutive week, IOF have continued a systematic campaign against Palestinian civil institutions. During the reporting period, IOF raided and searched several civil institutions in Nablus. They confiscated property of these institutions and ordered the closure of a number of them. IOF also raided five mosques in Nablus.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The IOF siege of Gaza, which has tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and has violated the human, economic and social rights of the approximately 1.5 million Palestinian civilian population, particularly their rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. The siege has also paralyzed the Gazan economy. In addition, the siege has severely impacted the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors. IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw materials into the Gaza Strip, and many factories have been forced to close. Severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the entire Palestinian civilian population. Regarding civilian movements, IOF permit very few Palestinian civilians to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in order to travel to the West Bank or Israel. Rafah International Crossing Point in the southern Gaza Strip is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world via a country other than Israel. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it, and have also obstructed European observers working at the Crossing Point from reaching it. Although the Egypt-brokered truce between Palestinian resistance groups and Israel entered into force on June 19, no major changes have been observed regarding the movement of persons and goods through the six Gaza Strip border crossings. The closure of these border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health.

West Bank

Contrary to Israeli claims of easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to Jerusalem. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently assault Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF have also tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF also erected more checkpoints on the main roads and intersections in the West Bank.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT have, in violation of international humanitarian law, have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, the Israeli district committee approved the construction of 920 housing units in Abu Ghniam Mount (Har Homa) in south east Jerusalem. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem claimed that this project does not have political motivations or implications. IOF also demolished a Palestinian house in al-‘Eissawiya village, east of Jerusalem, claiming that it had been built without a license.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (9 – 16 July 2008)

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Wednesday, 9 July

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They raided a clinic belonging to the Alms Committee in the east of the village. They forced the staff members of the clinic to leave the clinic. They then broke the door of the administration room and a filing cabinet. IOF also confiscated some documents, a computer and money totaling US $ 2,500.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qabalan village, southeast of Nablus. They raided the Koran Association in the center of the village. The building consists of 4 floors: the first floor serves as a sewing workshop; the second is a mosque for women, the third a mosque for men and the top floor is an administration and education center. IOF troops confiscated the entire contents of the building, including computers and all documents, and ordered the closure of the association for two years.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and opened fire before raiding and searching a number of houses. At approximately 06:00, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at them wounding three of them, including two children:

1. Mohammed Bassam al-Shawish, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the abdomen;

2. Eyad Samir Abu Melhem, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the shoulder;

3. Salam Fayez Nassar, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the hand.

Before their withdrawal from the camp at 07:00, IOF troops arrested Mohammed ‘Abdul Qader Hussein, 23, and his brother Ahmed, 21.

· At approximately 06:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The vehicle intercepted a Palestinian civilian car that was leaving the village via a route heading east. IOF troops opened fire at a Palestinian who attempted to flee from the intercepted vehicle. He was hit by several gunshots to the chest and the legs. IOF troops then abducted him and the driver of the vehicle. Soon afterwards, IOF military vehicles moved into the village to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit from the village. The injured Palestinian who had subsequently been abducted was identified as Talal Sa’id Talal ‘Aabed, 33, who had been wanted by IOF for 2 years for being a member of Abu ‘Ammar Brigades affiliated to Fatah movement. The driver was identified as Mohammed Burhan ‘Aabed, 22. An hour later, IOF informed Palestinian officials that Talal ‘Aabed had died of his injuries. His body was delivered to a Palestinian ambulance at approximately 04:00 the following morning.

· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses in several parts of the town and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including 2 brothers:

1. Hassan Ahmed ‘Amru, 35;

2. Sa’id Ahmed ‘Amru, 30;

3. ‘Abdul Hadi Abu Khalaf, 35;

4. Ja’far Mustafa Abu ‘Eisha, 25;

5. Shareef ‘Abdul Samee’ al-Za’tari, 30;

6. ‘Eid Khalaf Abu ‘Eisha, 22.

Thursday, 10 July

· At approximately 00:05, IOF moved into Nablus. They patrolled the streets and opened fire. They then raided offices of a number of Palestinian institutions and ordered one of them to close, claiming it funded terrorist organizations. According to PCHR investigations, IOF troops raided the offices of Afaq Television in the Aaloul and Abu Salha Building in Palestinian Street in the city centre. They confiscated all equipment and ordered the closure of the television station for 2 years, claiming it was funding terrorist organizations. At the same time, IOF troops also raided the offices of the Palestinian Women Committees Association in the al-Deb’ei Building in west Nablus city. They confiscated 5 computers and some documents. IOF also raided al-Rahma Clinic in Faisal Street in the east of the city, and confiscated 4 computers, a PC hard drive and some documents. Additionally, IOF confiscated two buses belonging to Dawhat al-Iman Kindergarten in al-Ma’ajin neighborhood in the northwest of the city.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Wadi Abu Ktaila neighborhood in the northwest of Hebron. They besieged a number of houses belonging to the Karama clan. They ordered residents of those houses to leave the houses, which they did. IOF troops then opened fire at the houses. At approximately 02:00, IOF demolished two of the houses, which belong to Mohammed and Jamal ‘Othman Karama, rendering 18 individuals homeless. IOF also demolished part of their mother’s house. IOF claimed the two houses were harboring wanted persons. During this operation, IOF attacked residents of the houses. IOF also demolished fences and uprooted dozens of trees. Before their withdrawal from the area at approximately 07:00, IOF troops arrested Jamal ‘Othman Karama, 39.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians

1. Waleed Yousef Deiriya, 35;

2. Mahmoud Wajeeh Bani Jaber, 28.

· At approximately 05:30, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Deir al-Balah, shot dead Saleem Jom’a ‘Ouda al-Humaidi, 22, from al-Zawaida village, with 3 gunshots to the chest and the left thigh. At approximately 10:00, his body was delivered to a Palestinian ambulance. According to the victim’s father, he was in the house of his uncle nearly 100 meters away from the border, and was returning home when IOF troops shot him dead.

· At approximately 14:15, IOF moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of shops. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into the north of Tulkarm. They checked a number of Palestinian civilians and searched a number of vehicles. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into the north of Tulkarm. They imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the area for about 45 minutes.

Friday, 11 July

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They besieged the building of the Municipality of Nablus. They blew up the door of Accounting Department and then searched the department. They confiscated 4 computers, some maps and a camera. During this incursion, IOF also raided and searched four mosques in the city, and also confiscated 4 school buses.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Eizariya village, east of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ahmed al-‘Aramin, 22, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:35, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:35, IOF moved into al-‘Araqa village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 12 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1. Majed ‘Abdul Fattah Qattawi, 18;

2. ‘Abdullah ‘Abdul Fattah Qattawi, 21;

3. Ibrahim ‘Abdul Fattah Qattawi, 25;

4. Maher ‘Abdul Fattah Qattawi, 30;

5. Ahmed ‘Abdul Fattah Qattawi, 35;

6. Khaled Tamliya, 32;

7. Rami Mahmoud Shareef, 21;

8. Ibrahim Mahmoud Shareef, 15;

9. Ahmed Mahmoud Shareef, 18;

10. Mohammed Tayseer al-Zubaidi, 20;

11. Ibrahim Tayseer al-Zubaidi, 18;

12. Hassan ‘Ali al-Haridi, 18.

· At approximately 05:40, the body of Mahmoud ‘Othman Mohammed ‘Aassi, 50, from Qarawat Bani Hassan village northwest of Salfit, was brought into Salfit Hospital. He had been hit by four gunshots. Israeli security sources claimed that an exchange of fire had taken place near “Yakir” settlement, northwest of Slafit, during which a Palestinian was killed and an Israeli officer was injured. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, an exchange of fire took place between ‘Assi and IOF troops near “Yakir” settlement during which ‘Aassi was killed by gunshots to the head, the neck, the chest and the leg. In a statement issued following the incident, Hamas mourned ‘Aassi, who was deported to Lebanon in 1992, and who was imprisoned for long periods in Israeli jails. ‘Assi was a prominent leader of Hamas in Salfit.

Saturday, 12 July

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nadeem Mahmoud ‘Eissa, 22.

Sunday, 13 July

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Northern ‘Assira village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 14 July

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Askar refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

1. Mousa Ahmed al-Tanbour, 24;

2. Yousef ‘Abdul Qader Habboush, 23;

3. Ahmed ‘Abdul Ghandour, 19;

4. ‘Abdullah Ahmed al-Demiati, 20;

5. Fadi Munther Abu al-Huda, 20.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 15 July

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Abed ‘Aziz al-Hraimi, 20, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ta’mar village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hmaid Mohammed Souman, 22, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 women:

1. Kholoud Rashad al-Masri, 35, Assistant of the Mayor of Nablus;

2. ‘Ammar Ameen al-Masri, 42, her husband, Head of the Solidarity Sports Club;

3. Haneen Mohammed Darwaza, 42, board member of the Women Union Association;

4. Mohye al-Din Mohammed al-Sal’ous, 27, her son-in-law, Administrative Director of Women Union Hospital in Nbalus;

5. ‘Abdul Rahim Mohammed al-Hanbali, 68, Director of al-Safa Factory for Dairy Products;

6. Hussam al-Din Lutfi al-Katalouni, 46, member of the municipal council of Nablus;

7. Mos’ab, 24, his son, a journalist.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Deir Sharaf village, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children:

1. Waheed Hamed ‘Antari, 16;

2. ‘Abdullah Ibrahim Fuqaha, 16;

3. Ahmed Khaled ‘Abdul Khaliq, 18;

4. Kmayel Jawad ‘Abbadi, 17;

5. Ibrahim Mohammed Noufal, 15.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem, and imposed a curfew. They closed the entrances to the village with sand barriers. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:

1. Tha’er ‘Abdullah Taqatqa, 23;

2. ‘Alaa’ Faisal Taqatqa, 24;

3. Hussein Mahmoud Taqatqa, 46;

4. Shihab Mohammed Thawabta, 20;

5. ‘Alaa’ Mohammed Taqatqa, 24;

6. Khamis Mohammed Thawabta, 32.

· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Ektaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. They erected a checkpoint at the entrance of the suburb and prevented movement to and from it. No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 16 July

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. Mo’tassem ‘Abdul Rahman Mwafi, 21;

2. Ahmed Nour al-Din Barham, 19;

3. Mahdi Ihsan Khudroj, 18.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp. They raided offices of International Solidarity Association for Human Rights on the 3rd floor of al-Israa’ Building and confiscated 15 computers and some documents and files. IOF troops also raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children:

1. Hamza Ghassan al-Jouhari, 17;

2. Bashar Bassem Kalbouna, 17;

3. Qadri Hafez Shaheen, 21;

4. Mo’men ‘Ali al-Qaissi, 23;

5. Karem Mohammed Abu ‘Eissa, 25.

· Also at approximately 01:0, IOF moved into Zawata village, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mos’ab ‘Atallah Mi’ari, 24.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses. Several hours later, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at them wounding three:

1. Mahmoud Hassan ‘Abdul Jawad, 19, wounded by a gunshot to the left thigh;

2. Sharaf Rashad Ja’aisa, 21, wounded by a gunshot to the left foot; and

3. Mohammed ‘Abdullah Subeh, 18, wounded by a gunshot to the right arm.

IOF also arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

1. Sa’ed Mohammed al-Ghoul, 23;

2. Ma’ath Mohammed al-Ghoul, 22;

3. ‘Ali Hassan Tayeh, 25;

4. Munther ‘Adnan al-Sheikh Dib, 22;

5. Yousef Fayez Ghazalawi, 18.

· At approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Jalqamous village, east of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Abdul Rahim Sami al-Haj Mohammed, 30.

· Also at approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Abu Shukhaidem village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. Neither arrests nor casualties were reported.

2. Continued Siege on the OPT

As previously noted, IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

IOF have continued to impose a siege on the 1.5 million civilians of the Gaza Strip. The border crossings of the Strip have been closed for more than two years as part of IOF’s collective punishment policy, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of civilians and goods. As a result, the territory is unable to secure its basic needs of food, medicine, and other supplies, pushing the poverty rate above 80%.

The continued Israeli ban on fuel supplies required for civilian life in the Gaza Strip has led to the near paralysis of the educational sector. In addition, the health sector is on the verge of collapse due to the stoppage of many ambulances from operating for lack of fuel. Healthcare facilities have registered a 25% drop in clients due to the transport crisis, and hundreds of healthcare professionals have been unable to reach their work places. Furthermore, the transportation sector has almost ceased functioning throughout the Gaza Strip, resulting in massively reduced essential services, including the delivery of drinking water delivery, sewage water disposal, and garbage collection.

During the reporting period, the Egypt-brokered truces between Palestinian resistance groups and Israel continued, under which the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip would apparently be gradually eased. However, no tangible change has been noticed with regard to the movement of persons and goods, excluding the increase in the number of containers of foods and humanitarian aid allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Over the past 5 months, IOF have permitted a very limited number of seriously ill patients and staff of international organizations to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) checkpoint. IOF have however prevented the families of approximately 1,000 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails from visiting them since 6 June 2007.

The tightened siege has led to the collapse of the Gaza Strip economic sectors. Most production facilities have ceased to operate due to the siege and restriction on movement of goods and individuals.

Regarding movement at Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was designed for the entry of fuel; during the reporting period, IOF allowed the entry of the following amounts of fuel:

Date
Benzene
Diesel
Cooking Gas
Energy Fuel

10 July 2008
Nil
Nil
282.270 tons
Nil

13 July 2008
Nil
354,000 liters
151.170 tons
562,000 liters

14 July 2008
Nil
262,420 liters
176,870 tons
769,200 liters

15 July 2008
76,000 liters
80,000 liters
68 tons
910,000 liters

During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing for several hours on Thursday and Tuesday, 10 and 15 July 2008, and allowed the entry of 5,700 tons of seeds and feeds. On Sunday and Monday, 13 and 14 July 2008, IOF allowed the entry of 4,500 tons of aggregate.

Regarding movement at Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, during the reporting period, it was as shown in the following table:

Date
Details

9 July 2008
101 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip

10 July 2008
73.5 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip

11 July 2008
45 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip

12 July 2008
Closed

13 July 2008
81 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip

14 July 2008
89 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip

15 July 2008
56 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip

Regarding Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the Egyptian authorities started to open it on a limited basis for some patients. Movement at the crossing during the reporting period was as follows:

Date
Details

11 July 2008
Jamal Abu Hashem, a senior leader of Hamas, and his bodyguard traveled back to the Gaza Strip.

12 July 2008
Mahmoud al-Zahhar, former Foreign Minister, and his bodyguard traveled back to the Gaza Strip.

14 July 2008
17 members of the mission of the Palestinian national football team travelled abroad.

15 July 2008
11 patients were allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip.

In the meantime, IOF have continued to close Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing for more than 3 months.

The closure of these border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 3,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor and harass the fishermen. The Oslo Accords stipulate that Palestinian fishermen are permitted to fish up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.

The West Bank

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Wednesday morning, 9 July, IOF erected a checkpoint near al-Lubban village, south of Nablus, on Nablus-Ramallah road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Thursday morning, 10 July, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara and Hawara checkpoints, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 12 July, IOF troops positioned at Za’atara checkpoint, south of Nablus, and Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of the city, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 13 July, IOF troops positioned at Za’atara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 7 July, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday morning, 15 July, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They also erected a checkpoint at Sabastia intersection, northwest of Nablus, and another one at Jeet intersection, southwest of Nablus.

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 10 July, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, until 10:00. On Friday, 11 July, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Attil village, north of Tulkarm, and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village. On Saturday, 12 July, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Ras village on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday, 13 July, IOF closed Eannab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, for several hours. On Monday, 13 July, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF closed all entrances to the town and closed almost all roads linking the town with neighboring villages and refugee camps. IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the town imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday, 14 July, IOF erected 2 checkpoints in the south of Hebron. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. at the same time, IOF imposed a curfew in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque, which continued until the following day. On the same day, IOF closed a number of branch roads in al-Ras neighborhood in the southeast of Hebron with cement blocks, allegedly to ensure security for Israeli settlers living in a building they have seized since 19 March 2008.

· Bethlehem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Wednesday morning, 9 July, IOF started to expand the al-Sawahra checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, into a permanent crossing point. On Sunday morning and Monday, 13 and 14 July, IOF closed Wadi al-Nar road for long hours. On Wednesday, 16 July, IOF troops positioned at the Container checkpoint on Wadi al-Nar road, which links between the north and south of the West Bank, imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 6 July, IOF troops positioned at the checkpoint on the southern entrance of Jericho arrested Ahmed Mohammed ‘Awadallah, 20, from Bethlehem, when he was on his way to his work in Jericho.

· Jenin: On Sunday morning, 13 July, IOF troops abused 3 Palestinian women in Jenin when they were on their way to visit their relatives who are imprisoned in Israeli jails. When the women refused obey orders to take off their clothes, IOF troops held them for some time and prevented them from visiting the detainees.

In her testimony to PCHR, Ra’eda Ahmed al-Shalabi, 31, stated:

“At approximately 06:30 on Sunday, 13 July, I left my home in Seilat al-Harthiya village, west of Jenin, to go to visit my husband who is detained in ‘Asqalan Prison.

I headed towards al-Jalama checkpoint, where I had to pass through 16 gates before reaching Israeli buses that would transport us to prisons. When I was in the last stage of checking, where identity cards and belongings are checked, IOF troops kept my identity card, and those of the sister of Sa’ed Mohammed Salah, and the wife of Yousef Ahmed ‘Ata, both from Jenin. IOF troops called Salah’s sister and took her into a room. They ordered her to take off her clothes, but she refused. The same happened with ‘Ata’s wife. When it was my turn, they took me into the room, they ordered me to take off the scarf, but I refused. They took me out. They then took the three of us back into the room and closed it. We were held there for nearly 45 minutes, during which time the two other women almost broke down. We were crying and asking for help. IOF troops refused to open the door and brought our children to us. A staff member of the ICRC came and talked to us from behind the door. He told us that if we wanted to get out we should obey orders of IOF troops, but we refused. We refused to allow our children into the room. So, they took us all into another small room. IOF troops threatened us with interrogation. We stayed there for almost an hour, during which time they did not allow our children to go to the bathroom. We were released at 11:30, and were forced to travel back to Jenin without visiting our loved ones.”

3. Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bil’in and Ne’lin villages, west of Ramallah; and Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. These demonstrations coincided with the 4th anniversary of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Wall illegal.

· At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 9 July, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the west of Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They moved towards the Wall. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators, including two journalists, suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· On Friday afternoon, 11 July, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the area where IOF were razing land to construct a section of the Wall in the village. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 5 demonstrators, were wounded:

1. Salah Tayeh al-Khawaja, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back;

2. Ra’fat Sadaqa, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the hand;

3. Mohammed Jamal ‘Amira, 22, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the hand;

4. Mohammed Sabti al-Khawaja, 24, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the foot;

5. Ahmed Wa’ed al-Khawaja, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the hand.

IOF also arrested 4 demonstrators:

1. Samer Mustafa al-Khawaja;

2. Ahmed Mustafa al-Kahawaja,

3. Hassan Ahmed Mousa,

4. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Sa’id al-Khawaja.

· Following the Friday Prayer on 11 July, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. The demonstrators moved towards the Wall, but IOF closed all gates designed for crossing the Wall. The demonstrators then set fire to tires in protest at the closure of gates. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· On Tuesday morning, 15 July, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the area where IOF were razing land to construct a section of the Wall in the village. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 2 demonstrators, were wounded:

1. Mohammed ‘Amira, 28, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand; and

2. Mohammed Subhi Sorour, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the foot.

4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

IOF have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

· At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 15 July, IOF moved into al-‘Eissawiya village, east of Jerusalem. They demolished a 150-square-meter, 2-storey house belonging to Is’haq Mohammed Mustafa, without allowing its 12 residents to take any of their belongings. IOF claimed that the house was built without a license.

· During the reporting period, the Israeli district committee approved the construction of 920 housing units in Abu Ghniam Mount (Har Homa) in the southeast of Jerusalem. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem claimed that this project does not have political motivations or implications. PCHR notes that the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, repeatedly asserted that settlement activities in Jerusalem and settlement blocs would not cease.

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